Sony has given PlayStation owners more incentive to ditch their traditional TV subscription after snapping up more premium channels for its PlayStation Vue service.
The company has reached an accord with Disney to bring the Disney Channel, access to the local ABC feed and the ESPN sports television empire to its cord-cutting platform (via Slashgear).
The ESPN access will be a particularly attractive option for those seeking an alternative option as it brings the crown jewels of live US sports into play.
The deal, which brings 13 more channels to PlayStation Vue, which also include the likes of ABC Family. This, at least, gaves PS Vue parity with the only current rival in the field, Dish Network’s Sling TV service.
The 13 additional channels, bringing the total to over 100, are as follows: ABC local affiliate, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN College Extra, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, Fusion, Longhorn Network, and SEC-ESPN Network.
See also: Sony PS4 vs Xbox One
Users can also add standalone subscriptions to Showtime via PS Vue, while HBO Now can be accessed from the PlayStation Store.
So far the service is only available in a few local markets, as Sony thrashes out deals with local channel affiliates.
Right now PlayStation 3/4 owners can grab it in New York, Miami, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles and Chicago. Subscriptions start at $49.99.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.